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Business
JioHotstar partners with StarzPlay to launch in MENA region
✍️ Telecompaper
🗓 08 Oct 2026, 05:04 AM
👁 19
Indian streaming platform JioHotstar will enter the Middle East and North Africa market through a partnership with regional OTT service StarzPlay, giving subscribers access to its Indian content.
JioHotstar, the over‑the‑top video platform owned by Reliance Jio, announced a strategic partnership with StarzPlay to bring its library to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Under the deal, StarzPlay will host JioHotstar’s catalogue of Indian movies, TV series and sports on its existing platform, allowing its subscribers to stream the content alongside local offerings.
The collaboration is aimed at tapping the sizable South Asian diaspora in the region as well as attracting new viewers interested in Indian entertainment. By leveraging StarzPlay’s established distribution network and regional payment infrastructure, JioHotstar expects a smoother entry without having to set up its own standalone service.
Industry analysts view the move as part of Reliance Jio’s broader push to expand its digital media footprint beyond India. The partnership could also pave the way for future co‑productions and localized content tailored to MENA audiences, strengthening the competitive position of both platforms in a crowded OTT market.
The collaboration is aimed at tapping the sizable South Asian diaspora in the region as well as attracting new viewers interested in Indian entertainment. By leveraging StarzPlay’s established distribution network and regional payment infrastructure, JioHotstar expects a smoother entry without having to set up its own standalone service.
Industry analysts view the move as part of Reliance Jio’s broader push to expand its digital media footprint beyond India. The partnership could also pave the way for future co‑productions and localized content tailored to MENA audiences, strengthening the competitive position of both platforms in a crowded OTT market.